DIY Stocking Stuffers: 65 Easy Handmade Holiday Gifts

The gift-giving season is almost upon us! Get crafting now to whip up one or more of these small handmade gifts that are the right size to stuff in a stocking or give to your coworkers, friends or kids' teachers.

November 04, 2020

By: H. Camille Smith and Maggie Tharp

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Upcycle Closet Castoffs

Cover bangle bracelets in fabric from an old flannel shirt or pj bottoms to create fashion-forward jewelry that makes a thoughtful handmade gift.

Get the How-To: How to Craft Trendy Flannel Cuff Bracelets

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Help coworkers, friends and family shake off winter's chill with a pretty canister filled with a custom mix of dry hot cocoa ingredients, like instant coffee, cocoa powder, sugar and cinnamon. Add a small wooden scoop so your gift recipients can help themselves to a hot cuppa anytime.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

DIY Beard Balm

If your male friends and family members care about keeping their beards moisturized in the cold winter months, whip up a batch of beard balm for stocking stuffers this holiday season.

Go Au Naturel

Dyeing fabrics with indigo is an age-old technique that has never gone out of style. (And for good reason!) Use this natural dye to transform a simple white linen scarf to make a gift that's both timeless and on trend.

Get the How-To: Make a Beautiful Shibori-Style Scarf Using Natural Indigo Dye

Paper Clip Tassel Bookmarks

What’s tiny, trendy and makes a perfect stocking stuffer for your bookworm friends? These tassel bookmarks made with paper clips. If you can make a tassel (don’t worry, it’s really easy), you can make these cute office supplies from the blog Life on Waller.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Paper Clip Bookmarks

Marbled Clay Jewelry Dish

There’s no such thing as being too organized. Help your jewelry-loving friends keep their rings, bracelets and necklaces in place with these elegant and modern clay dishes. Made from terra-cotta polymer clay, these rustic pieces can be accented with any colors you choose.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make a Clay Jewelry Dish

From: Kristin Guy

Make Your Mark With a Monogram

Monogrammed items are always in style — so is cross-stitch; this easy needle art has made a major comeback thanks the popularity of antique and vintage items. Our how-to instructions below make it easy to personalize a linen tea towel with their initial for a charming handmade gift.

Get the How-To: Easily Cross Stitch a Monogrammed Tea Towel

Pedicure in a Jar

If there’s one time of year that you need to remember to relax and pamper yourself, it’s the holidays. Help friends handle seasonal stress with a cute, DIY pedicure jar from Suburban Simplicity, complete with nail polish, a nail file and all the other items needed for the perfect pedi.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Pedicure in a Jar

Put the Stars in Their Pocket

Our how-to instructions below will make it easy to customize a plain pocket notepad with the recipient's star sign using scrapbooking mini brads and simple embroidery.

Get the How-To: Make Your Own Embroidered Constellation Notebook

Pocket Hand Warmers

Help your friends and family enjoy even the chilliest of winter days with these cozy + festive hand warmers. Use up your old flannel clothing or buy a few thrift store shirts or pajamas to make these.

Shrinky Dink Charms

From keys to purses and everything in between, add some sass to this year's stockings with shrink film charms you can make in a flash. Bake up a big batch using our free, printable template and the step-by-step instructions, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Charms That Are Shrinky, But Definitely Not Dinky

Candy Kit Bottles

Give just the right amount of something sweet by filling small glass vials with various candies. Nerds, Sour Worms and Snowcaps are great options for catering to different candy preferences.

From: Michelle Edgemont

DIY Ring Cones

Looking for a stocking stuffer that’s a little less ordinary to give your girlfriends this holiday? Make these minimalist marbled ring cones from The Wholesome Handbook. Everything about this DIY gift, from the black and white clay to the gold accents, is simply perfect.

GET THE HOW-TO: Chic Marbled Ring Cones

DIY Galaxy Soap

If you’ve got friends who can’t get enough of the galaxy trend (and really, isn’t that all of us?) make this gorgeous, glittery galaxy soap from Beauty Crafter. With a large-enough batch you can make enough stocking stuffers for all the shining stars in your life.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Galaxy Soap

Custom Leather Keychains

In just four steps, you can turn untanned leather into a personalized keychain that drivers new and old are sure to love.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Personalized Leather Key Chain

Craft Holiday-Themed Mini Candles

Put pretty cookie cutters to work to easily make scented or unscented holiday candles that are just the right size to slip into a stocking or hand out to teachers or neighbors. To make them, hit your local craft store for colorful candle wax, melt it, following manufacturer's instructions, then pour into cookie cutters.

DIY Flower-tastic Party Favors

Green up your party guests' thumbs with these take-home surprises that truly are the gift that keeps giving. Following the included instructions, your guests can plant the tubers, root starts or seeds in their yard for an abundance of beautiful blooms.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Plantable Party Favors

From: H. Camille Smith

Give an Old Locket New Usefulness

Lip balm is a necessity for many of us during winter's coldest months. Ensure they'll always have a handy supply with this clever how-to that shows you how to fill an old locket with a custom-mixed blend of ingredients that'll keep cracked lips at bay.

Monogrammed Leather Dog Tags

Don’t forget about the dog moms and dads on your gift list! With the right supplies, you could easily whip up a large batch of these personalized dog tags for all the animal lovers in your circle.

Hot Chocolate Spoons

When in doubt, give the gift of chocolate. These chocolate coconut stirring spoons are a cinch to whip up. Wrap them in clear plastic bags and festive ribbon, and you have a great last-minute (and delicious!) stocking stuffer.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make Coconut Hot Chocolate Spoons

From: Michelle Edgemont

Leather Headphone Tacos

No one likes tangled earbuds, but they can be so tough to keep organized. With this nifty, ultra-simple leather headphone taco, your gift recipients can keep their cords organized in a stylish way.

DIY Herbal Lotion Bars

Put fresh herbs to work to create lotion bars that smell amazing and are a real treat for dry winter hands.

Get the How-To: DIY Herbal Lotion Bars

Woven Tapestry Phone Case

Want your friends and family members to actually use the stocking stuffers you give them? Make an accessory for something they carry everywhere they go. The tapestry fabric and embroidery thread on this DIY phone case from Always Rooney will take any cell from boring to boho.

GET THE HOW-TO: Tapestry Smartphone Case

Heart-Shaped Tea Bags

This DIY from HonestlyYum is one gift that your friends and family won’t be expecting. Inexpensive, inventive and useful, these coffee filter tea sachets are hand-cut and sewn, and filled with your choice of loose tea.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Heart-Shaped Tea Bags

Upgrade a Basic Scarf

Everyone loves receiving a snuggly scarf during the holidays; they're a great small gift for friends, coworkers and family. Find out how to easily give an ordinary scarf an extraordinary makeover by adding initials or a fun phrase with buttons.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Personalized Button-Embellished Scarf

Infuse Sugars With Lemon, Lime and Lavender

For something really sweet, consider giving infused sugars like the ones shown here by Eden Passante of Sugar and Charm. Just layer sugar and the dry ingredient of your choice in a sealed container for a few days to let the flavor set. Try dried fruit, vanilla beans, coffee beans, lavender or all of the above!

Wine Cork Cat Toys

Got a lot of wine corks lying around? Then you’re on your way to making these adorable DIY cat toys from Sweet Makes Three! Your friends’ and family’s pets will go crazy for the lightweight corks and the feathers on these inventive gifts.

GET THE HOW-TO: Wine Cork Cat Toys

Peppermint Bark Tins

Made inside a CD tin, this sweet treat is sure to be a holiday hit. Melt 2 parts dark or semi-sweet chocolate to 1 part white chocolate. Fill the bottoms of CD tins 2/3 full with dark chocolate, then add white chocolate by zig-zagging over the dark chocolate. While the chocolate is still warm, use a toothpick to drag the white chocolate through the dark chocolate. Next, repeat in the opposite direction, then sprinkle crushed peppermints on top. Cool completely before adding the lid and sealing with decorative tape.

SEE MORE: 7 Big Batch Holiday Gifts

From: Sam Henderson

Gift Mittens

Mittens with no knitting required? Yes, please! Take old sweaters (or thrift store purchases) and turn them into beautiful, cozy mittens with this neat DIY from Feathering My Nest.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Sweater Mittens

Travel Watercolor Kit

Get the award for most creative gift (and satisfy the artists in your friend circle) with this ingenious watercolor painting kit made from an empty mint tin. While you could just buy a watercolor kit, the upcycled version is so much cuter and more fun.

Confetti Bookmarks

Celebrate your favorite book lover with these colorful, cute confetti bookmarks. Follow the link below to learn how to make these and two other confetti crafts.

GET THE HOW-TO: Confetti Paper Crafts, 3 Ways

DIY Bathroom Spray

Holiday parties mean more people in your house — including the bathroom — which means all the more reason to keep every room smelling fresh. Your friends and family will love (and perhaps chuckle at) this essential oil toilet spray idea from Life With Wings.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Toilet Spray

Fuse Bead Drink Covers

Friends and family will love these adorable fuse bead drink covers that also double as coasters. Quietly steal your kids' Perler beads, because you'll want to make a big batch of these adorable double-duty gifts ASAP.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Citrus-Inspired Perler Bead Drink Covers + Coasters

Delight Their Senses

Using just a few fresh ingredients, you can create a flavorful, infused salt to give as a gift to your favorite foodie or holiday hostess. Or, keep the savory seasonings to kick up your own culinary game.

Friendship Bracelet Keychains

Losing your keys is tough if you have a fashionable, eye-catching keychain. The bright, cheery embroidery thread on these friendship bracelet-inspired keychains from Alice & Lois will stand out anywhere, and you’ll have fun mixing up the designs to suit each of your favorite pals.

GET THE HOW-TO: Friendship Bracelet Keychains

Pumpkin Spice Latte Body Scrub

With pumpkin, brown sugar and coconut oil, this sugar scrub is an indulgent and luxurious gift for your friends and family members who are in need of a little pampering this winter. Be sure to whip up extra so you can try this sweet DIY yourself!

Make Personalized Magnets on the Cheap

Basic craft supplies are all you need to turn glass gems (found in the floral supply area of your local craft store) and photos into customized magnets that put their favorite memories on display.

Repurpose a Shrunken Sweater

Let's face it: We've all accidentally shrunk at least one wool or cashmere sweater. It's a painful learning experience: wool + hot water + agitation = a felted sweater that, on the down-side, is now too small to wear but, on the plus-side, felted fibers don't fray when cut. So, turn those felted gems into a clever way to package jar candles by sliding a candle into one of the sweater's felted sleeves then marking how much you need and cutting it off. Embellish with a coordinating ribbon, bell or ornament and your gift is complete.

From: H. Camille Smith

License Plate Keychain

Create several gifts from one vintage license plate by making cut metal keychains. Search antique stores for old steel plates ranging in different letters and numbers. Use metal snips to cut out the letters and numbers, then sandpaper the edges. Add a hole along the top with a drill and a 1/8-inch drill bit, then attach a metal key ring into the hole.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Lavender Salt Scrub

Give the gift of relaxation with this easy-to-make salt scrub. Combine 4 cups coarse sea salt, 1-1/2 cups coconut oil and 20 drops lavender essential oil to a large bowl. Mix completely, then fold in 1/4 cup buds of dried lavender. Fill small canning jars with the mixture, add the lid and top with a circle of decorative paper before adding the ring. Finish with ribbon and a sprig of dried lavender for a pretty presentation.

SEE MORE: 7 Big Batch Holiday Gifts

From: Sam Henderson

Handmade Reindeer Coasters

Made from inexpensive white porcelain tiles (found at the hardware store) and a stencil, this coaster set makes an elegant, thoughtful gift you might be tempted to keep for yourself.

GET THE HOW-TO: Handmade Reindeer Coasters

Infused Liquor Party Favors

For the over-21 friends on your list, these festive, infused liquors are a thoughtful gift you can make with just a few common kitchen ingredients and standard spirits. Follow the link below to snag recipes to make ginger-anise vodka, hot and spicy vodka and vanilla-cinnamon bourbon.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make Your Own Flavored Liquors

From: Michelle Edgemont

Gold Animal Ring Bowls

Got friends who love gold? Make these awesome DIY ring dishes, found on TaylorBradford.com. The gold-dipped toy animals are the perfect mix of glam and whimsical, and this handmade gift is way easier (and less expensive) than it looks.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Gold Animal Ring Dishes

Mug Cake Kits

Mug cakes are the perfect treat when you want just a little bit of sweetness but don’t want to break out all of your baking supplies. A mug cake kit like this one from Homan at Home is the perfect way to gift this simple pleasure to the people you care about.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Mug Cake Kits

Painted Wood Chip Coasters

Instead of dropping tons of cash on personalized coasters (because who wants a coaster with your name and wedding date on it?), make stylish versions that your guests can and will want to use again and again. All you need to make these pretty wood coasters is a dead tree branch, a table saw and paint.

SEE MORE: 10 Easy DIY Coasters to Gift or Keep

Make Your Own Essential Oils

Due to their many health, beauty and culinary uses, these fragrant oils are all the rage right now. Make your own from olive oil and plants from the garden and adorn with a customized tag.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make Your Own Infused Oils

Sewing Kit

These delightful DIY sewing kits are so simple to make, and they are great to keep in a purse or car for fashion emergencies.

GET HOW-TO: Simple, Sweet Sewing Kits

Holiday Big Batch Gifts

These holiday cocktails are an elegant gift any grown-up will love. Mix your favorite holiday cocktail in a large batch, then fill vintage-inspired bottles with the cocktails. Print our free downloadable label on sticker paper and add the name of your cocktail to the label by writing or printing. We used 12-ounce bottles to hold two servings.

SEE MORE: 7 Big Batch Holiday Gifts

From: Sam Henderson

Fill a Vintage Tin With Homemade Treats

Small vintage tins filled with sweet or savory treats are always a welcome gift. After all, who doesn't love homemade goodies?!

See More Photos: 15 Vintage Holiday Gift Ideas

From: Marian Parsons

Pom-Pom Hair Clips

You’re never too old for glitter and pom-poms; at least, that’s what I think! Your gal pals of all ages will love these cute, glittery barrettes, and you’ll love that they’re super easy to make, even down to the homemade pom-poms!

Spoon Garden Markers

Upcycle utensils into pretty herb markers for your loved ones' gardens by marking silver spoons, knives and forks with an inexpensive metal-stamping kit.

From: Marian Parsons

Creatively Frame Their Memories

A small framed photo makes a thoughtful gift for most folks on your list and is a sentimental stocking stuffer. Our friends at HGTV Magazine share tips for making these crafty frames plus five more small handmade gifts below.

Get the How-To: 6 Easy DIY Gifts

Tea Time

Combine your favorite spices in adorable glass bottles to create a custom blend for your favorite tea lovers.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make Custom-Mixed Sweet Orange Tea Favors

From: Michelle Edgemont

Muffin Tin Bath Bombs

Give a gift that reminds your loved ones to relax and recharge. Because these bath bombs are made in a muffin tin, they’re a great gift to make in bulk.

Mason Jar Snow Globes

No snow in the forecast for your area? Make snow globes! These Mason jar snow globes are great gifts for the kids in your family, and they’re easy enough that little ones could help make them as well.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make a Glitter Snow Globe From a Mason Jar

Paint-Dipped Kitchen Utensils

If you’re especially short on time, this DIY is for you. With a little craft paint in any color you choose and a few more supplies, you can transform store-bought wooden cooking utensils into a vibrant, cheery gift.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Paint-Dipped Wooden Utensils

From: Kayla Kitts

Stamped Clay Bracelet

Jewelry makes a great special occasion gift, but it's even more memorable when it's made by hand. For a handmade gift they'll love wearing, shape air-dry clay into a customized bracelet with limitless creative possibilities.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Stamped Clay Bracelet

Get Crafty With Crayons

Delight the little artists on your gift list with these homemade and personalized art supplies. Our friends at HGTV Magazine share tips for making these cute crayons, plus five more small handmade gifts, below.

Get the How-To: 6 Easy DIY Gifts

Sugar & Spice Pecans

It’s hard to go wrong with food-themed gifts, but sometimes the preparation can be tough to pull off, especially if you’re short on time. Made from just a few pantry staples, these mouthwatering sweet and spicy pecans are quick, easy and inexpensive to whip up in a big batch.

GET THE HOW-TO: Food Gifts With a DIY Twist

Have Fun With Felt

A little creativity, Velcro and iron-on adhesive tape (or felt glue) are all you need to turn budget-friendly felt into a clever gift for all the coffee-lovers on your list.

Get the How-To: 8 Easy Handmade Holiday Gifts for Hosts

Make a Luggage Tag for Your Globetrotter

If someone on your gift list is always on the go, follow the how-to instructions from HGTV Magazine to craft a global-themed luggage tag that they'll be sure to love.

Get the How-To: DIY Gift: Map Luggage Tags

Upcycle Scrap Leather Into an Accessory

With just a little creativity, you can turn a scrap piece of leather into a fashion-forward pin or hair clip that makes a sweet handmade gift you can give any time of year.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Leather Flower Pin or Clip

From: H. Camille Smith

Washi Tape Pencils

Pencils might not be the most interesting gift on their own, but when you jazz them up with washi tape, they turn into cute, colorful trinkets that are perfect for just about anyone. The hardest part of this super-simple DIY project will be picking out which washi tape design to use.

Knot One On

HGTV Magazine's how-to instructions below make it easy to turn craft store supplies into a fashion-forward accessory.

Get the How-To: DIY Gift: Rope Bracelets

From: HGTV Magazine

A New Use for Instagram Pics

In just a few steps you can easily pull their favorite memories out of a photo app and onto a colorful coaster to liven up their desk or coffee table.

Get the How-To: DIY Gift: Photo Coasters

From: HGTV Magazine

DIY Stocking Stuffers: 65 Easy Handmade Holiday Gifts

Related To:

Shop This Look

Upcycle Closet Castoffs

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

DIY Beard Balm

Go Au Naturel

Paper Clip Tassel Bookmarks

Marbled Clay Jewelry Dish

Make Your Mark With a Monogram

Pedicure in a Jar

Put the Stars in Their Pocket

Pocket Hand Warmers

Shrinky Dink Charms

Candy Kit Bottles

DIY Ring Cones

DIY Galaxy Soap

Custom Leather Keychains

Craft Holiday-Themed Mini Candles

DIY Flower-tastic Party Favors

Give an Old Locket New Usefulness

Monogrammed Leather Dog Tags

Hot Chocolate Spoons

Leather Headphone Tacos

DIY Herbal Lotion Bars

Woven Tapestry Phone Case

Heart-Shaped Tea Bags

Upgrade a Basic Scarf

Infuse Sugars With Lemon, Lime and Lavender

Wine Cork Cat Toys

Peppermint Bark Tins

Gift Mittens

Travel Watercolor Kit

Confetti Bookmarks

DIY Bathroom Spray

Fuse Bead Drink Covers

Delight Their Senses

Friendship Bracelet Keychains

Pumpkin Spice Latte Body Scrub

Make Personalized Magnets on the Cheap

Repurpose a Shrunken Sweater

License Plate Keychain

Lavender Salt Scrub

Handmade Reindeer Coasters

Infused Liquor Party Favors

Gold Animal Ring Bowls

Mug Cake Kits

Painted Wood Chip Coasters

Make Your Own Essential Oils

Sewing Kit

Holiday Big Batch Gifts

Fill a Vintage Tin With Homemade Treats

Pom-Pom Hair Clips

Spoon Garden Markers

Creatively Frame Their Memories

Tea Time

Muffin Tin Bath Bombs

Mason Jar Snow Globes

Paint-Dipped Kitchen Utensils

Stamped Clay Bracelet

Get Crafty With Crayons

Sugar & Spice Pecans

Have Fun With Felt

Make a Luggage Tag for Your Globetrotter

Upcycle Scrap Leather Into an Accessory

Washi Tape Pencils

Knot One On

A New Use for Instagram Pics

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